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Ooooooo doggies ... now you're in a pickle!
If the fielder was making a legitimate attempt at a play & while trying to run down the runner from behind clipped her heel of the runners backward stride with her forward stride, then I don't see obstruction. I do see an ejected offensive coach, however!
If the fielder was being clumsy and not making a legitimate play, then I can see an obstruction ruling, but the rules backup is weak. Probably won't get much grief from the defense with this call, since it would seem "fair."
If the fielder was intentionally tripping, then I see obstruction and ejection of the fielder.
While the obstruction definition, rule, and POE (ASA - I don't have LL rule books) all explicitly say a fielder "not in possession of the ball...", there is an underlying assumption that the fielder is playing the game legally. Tripping is not a legal defensive play.
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Tom
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